REMOTE MEASUREMENT OF BLAST WAVE PROPAGATION

Abstract

The method and system disclosed herein allow pressure profile data to be collected remotely from multiple autonomous sensors without entering the blast radius. The system obtains a GPS synchronized time value for detonation and obtains subsequent synchronized pressure data sets overtime from multiple independently functioning remote and correlates that data from each transducer with the initial detonation event.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to the field of blast wave measurement and more specifically to creating a blast wave data profiles from sensors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A blast wave is the measurable phenomenon caused by the sudden and violent release of energy in an explosive charge. The blast causes a sharp rise in the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere.

[0004] A blast profile is a time history of the pressure wave measured at a particular point in space using sensors, referred to as transducers. To characterize the time signature of a blast-pressure event, pressure transducers are placed at varying distances from the blast source.

[0005] The sudden increase in pressure P is measured over at various points in time (t). The pressure of initial blast wave peaks and then decays at the location of each transducer.

[0006] It is a problem known in the art that multi-point transducer systems rely on cable network connections to measure blast wave pressure profiles which connect transducers to a central device that receives the signals and records the time of the signals upon arrival.

[0007] Synchronization errors of even a few thousandths of a second can interfere with the accuracy of blast wave pressure profile measurements.

[0008] Transducers are subject to mechanical differences and impedance errors in transmitting electrical signals from a transducer to a central network device.

[0009] There is an unmet need for highly synchronized wave blast measurement tools that can accurately transmit wave profile data for comprehensive analysis.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The system and method described herein captures multiple blast measurements at various locations. A master sensing unit is used to synchronize a sensed detonation signal to an external GPS signal. Multiple independent transducers autonomously gather and transmit synchronized blast data, and are independently synchronized to the master transducer by the use of a pulse per second signal.

[0011] The method and system disclosed herein allow pressure profile data to be collected remotely from multiple autonomous sensors without entering the blast radius. The system obtains a GPS synchronized time value from a master sensing component time value for the initial detonation and obtains synchronized pressure profile data sets of pressure over time from multiple independently functioning transducers, which are then correlated with the synchronized time value recorded for the initial detonation event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary System 100 using multiple Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR) apparatuses to measure blast wave propagation.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary Method 200 for remotely measuring blast wave propagation using multiple Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR) apparatuses.

TERMS OF ART

[0014] As used herein, the term "APPRT" apparatus means Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR) apparatus to measure blast wave propagation

[0015] As used herein, the term "blast profile data structure" means a data structure which contains data for a blast profile, including the time of a sensed detonation (or other measurement phenomena) event with location coordinates and with a range of time and pressure values obtained after the sensed

[0016] As used herein, the term "distributed computer apparatus" means a pulse per second (pps) computer apparatus having memor, processing and other components in one or multiple locations.

[0017] As used herein, the term "external GPS signal" means a pulse per second (PPS or 1 PPS) is an electrical signal that has a width of less than one second which that accurately repeats once per second, and his is generated by frequency standards, precision oscillators and or a "Global Positioning System" (GPS).

[0018] As used herein, the term "detonation" means any pressure phenomena capable of measurement.

[0019] As used herein, the term "non-volatile memory" means system memory which can store data

[0020] As used herein, the term "pressure profile" means a set of data for pressure over time associated with a location and a detonation signal.

[0021] As used herein, the term "processor" means computer hardware which includes circuitry structurally placed to perform calculations, functions and operations which may be limited, determined or designated by software.

[0022] As used herein, the term "receiver" means

[0023] As used herein, the term "recording function" means a process for recording data for a pre-determined duration.

[0024] As used herein the term "sensed detonation time T.sub.0" means the time at which at detonation event reaches an initial sensor, e.g. on a master sensing unit.

[0025] As used herein, the term "T.sub.1 . . . n" means a series of time which occur subsequent to T.sub.0

[0026] As used herein, the term "wave, propagation data set" means data obtained from multiple transducers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary System 100 using multiple Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR) apparatuses to measure blast wave propagation.

[0028] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, distributed Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR) System 100 is a distributed computer system that includes detonation 5, master sensing unit 10, APPR apparatuses 20a-b, external computer 30, and external GPS signal 40.

[0029] Master sensing unit 10 has a clock which is synchronized to external GPS signal 40, and a recorder which records To when a circuit breaks in response to detonation 5. Master sensing unit 10 further includes a transmitter for wirelessly sending data to external computer 30 to allow measurements to be collected remotely without entering the blast area.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment shown, each APPR apparatus 20a and 20b captures, records, and transmits high speed transient electrical signals generated from electrical transducers incorporated into the APPR apparatus. Each APPR apparatus 20a and 20b includes a transducer and a receiver, which are operatively coupled. The transducer is configured to emit pressure reading P. Each APPR apparatus 20a and 20b includes a high-speed voltage input recording circuit which directly receives voltage output from a transducer. When the P output from the transducer increases due to a measurement phenomenon, the circuit recognizes the sudden increase in pressure and stores data recorded within a predetermined amount of time before and after the trigger threshold has occurred, to ensure that all relevant data are collected. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the measurement phenomenon is the movement of a blast wave past an APPR apparatus 20a or 20b, following detonation 5.

[0031] Each APPR apparatus 20a and 20b further includes a processor which compares Plan to a threshold value, and a recording component, which activates when P.sub.1 . . . n exceeds that threshold value. When output P from a transducer exceeds a threshold value, it indicates that the blast wave from detonation 5 has reached that transducer.

[0032] Each APPR apparatus 20a and 20b further includes a clock, which is synchronized to external GPS signal 40 and a memory component for storing a pressure profile data structure which includes Time T.sub.1 . . . n and Pressure P.sub.1 . . . n for each P.sub.1 . . . n larger than said threshold value. APPR apparatus 20a and 20h each record GPS and location data, allowing, for time synchronization and georeferencing. In various embodiments, the pressure profile data structure includes the GPS coordinates of the transducer.

[0033] Each APPR apparatus 20a-b further includes a transmitter for wirelessly sending data to external computer 30 to allow measurements to be collected remotely without entering the blast area. In various embodiments, the APPR transmitter transfers data to a computer having a non-volatile memory component, which can then be offloaded to other computers via a wireless connection.

[0034] In various embodiments, APPR apparatus 20a and 20b each include non-volatile memory data structures for storing and associating GPS time and location coordinates for the incorporated transducer. In various embodiments, the memory component of APPR apparatus 20a or 20b may be non-volatile to limit battery drainage.

[0035] External computer 30 stores data from each APPR apparatus 20a and 20b and data from master sensing unit 10.

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary Method 200 for remotely measuring blast wave propagation using multiple Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR) apparatuses.

[0037] With the use of high gain antennas, Method 200 is accomplished wirelessly via Wi-Fi protocols. Method 200 eliminates the need for long lengths of wire and the associated labor costs of running the wire and verifying the proper operation of the wire connections. Method 200 further eliminates the need for high-speed data recorders that accommodate multiple transducer inputs. Method 200 further eliminates synchronization errors caused by impedance experienced with wiring connections.

[0038] Method 200 GPS position coordinates eliminates the possibility of confusing where each transducer is located when data is collected in a multi-channel recorder associated with a large number of wiring connections.

[0039] Method 200 is implemented using a computer processor and memory storage.

[0040] Step 1 is the step of an Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR) apparatus receiving a sensed detonation time T.sub.0 , which is synchronized to an external GPS signal.

[0041] Step 2 is the step of an APPR apparatus receiving a signal to invoke a recording function.

[0042] Step 3 is the step of an APPR apparatus performing a recording function to record transducer outputs, which are pressure values P.sub.1 . . . n and Time values T.sub.1 . . . n Time values T.sub.1 . . . n are synchronized to said external GPS signal.

[0043] Step 4 is the step of an APPR apparatus creating a blast profile data structure, which includes P.sub.1 . . . n, T.sub.1 . . . n, and GPS coordinates of the transducer.

[0044] Step 5 is the step of completing a blast profile by associating sensed detonation time T.sub.0 with a blast profile data structure. This step may or may not be completed by an external computing component.

[0045] It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, procedures and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and, scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

[0046] It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

Claims

1. An Autonomous Pressure Profile. Recorder (APPR) apparatus comprised of: a receiver which is operatively coupled with a transducer, wherein said transducer is configured to emit pressure reading P; a recording component; a processor which compares P.sub.1 . . . n to a threshold value and activates said recording component when P.sub.1 . . . n exceeds said threshold value; a pressure profile data structure which stores Time values T.sub.1 . . . n for each P.sub.1 . . . n larger than said threshold value; and a clock which is synchronized to an external GPS signal.

2. The APPR apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure profile data structure further stores the GPS coordinates of said transducer.

3. The APPR apparatus of claim which further includes an external computer processor which correlates a value T.sub.0 , reflecting the time of a detonation, with said pressure profile data structure.

4. The APPR apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a memory component to record P.sub.1 . . . n over T.sub.1 . . . n for each P.sub.1 . . . n larger than said threshold value.

5. The APPR apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure profile data structure is a two-dimensional array associated with GPS coordinates which stores Time T.sub.1 . . . n for each P.sub.1 . . . n larger than said threshold value.

6. The APPR apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transducer is configured to iteratively record the magnitude of P and transmit it to said APPR apparatus.

7. The APPR apparatus of claim 1 wherein Time value T.sub.0 represents the time at which a detonation is sensed by a master unit.

8. The APPR apparatus of claim 1 wherein said Time values T.sub.1 . . . n a each represent a trigger time.

9. A distributed Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR) system, which is a distributed computer system comprised of: a master sensing unit with a recorder which records T.sub.0 when a circuit breaks in response to a detonation; An APPR apparatus comprised of: a receiver which is operatively coupled with a transducer, wherein said transducer is configured to emit pressure reading P; a recording component; a processor which compares to a threshold value and activates said recording component when P.sub.1 . . . n exceeds said threshold value; a pressure profile data structure which stores T.sub.1 . . . n for each P.sub.1 . . . n larger than said threshold value; and a clock which is synchronized to an external GPS signal; and an external computer which stores data from said APPR apparatus and data from said master sensing unit.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said external computer receives and stores APPR data values P.sub.1 . . . n and T.sub.1 . . . n and associated GPS values in memory.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said external computer associates a sensed detonation time with each set of P.sub.1 . . . n , T.sub.1 . . . n and GPS values stored in memory.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said memory of said external computer is non-volatile.

13. The system of claim 9 which further includes an external computer which receives APPR data packets and correlates each of said APPR data packets with sensed detonation Time T.sub.0 to complete a blast profile data structure containing time values, pressure values, GPS coordinates, and a sensed detonation time.

14. A method for measuring a blast wave propagation implemented using a computer processor and memory storage, comprised of the steps of: Receiving a sensed detonation Time T.sub.0 , wherein T.sub.0 is synchronized to an external GPS signal; Receiving a signal to invoke a recording function; Performing a recording function in one or more APPR apparatus to record transducer pressure and time value outputs, wherein said time value outputs are synchronized to said external GPS signal; Storing P.sub.1 . . . n over T.sub.1 . . . n with GPS coordinates in a blast profile data structure; and Associating said sensed detonation time T.sub.0 with said blast profile data structure to create a complete blast profile.

15. The method of claim 14 which further includes the step of transferring said blast profile data structure to memory of an external computing component.

16. The method of claim 14 which further includes the step of transferring a recorded data file of duration d wherein d includes a pre-trigger time, a trigger time and post-trigger time.

17. The method of claim 14 which further includes the step of filtering said pressure and time value outputs using a P threshold value.

18. The method of claim 14 which further includes the step of storing filtered pressure values P.sub.1 . . . n and corresponding time value T.sub.1 . . . n for each of said P larger than said P value threshold.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said external computing component iteratively processes said blast profiles from each transducer to produce a wave propagation data set.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said external computing component processes said blast profiles to graphically represent said blast wave propagation.